Glocal (global to local) environmental governance lags behind the science regarding the seriousness of the combined environmental
and developmental challenges. Governance regimes have developed differently in different issue areas and are often inconsistent
and contradictory; furthermore governance innovations in each area lead to new challenges. The combined effect of issue-based,
plural, and fragmented governance raises key normative questions in environmental governance. Hence, this overview paper aims
to address the following questions: How can the global community move towards a more normatively consistent global architecture
for sustainable development? In order to address this question, I first examine the key normative issues and the nature of
governance in the area of climate change, water and forests. In doing so I also look at the implications of each for food
production, safety and security. The paper concludes that (a) there are strong normative and architectural inconsistencies
between the fragmented and plural issue-specific regimes; (b) that such inconsistencies are inevitable in an ‘anarchic’ international
order; (c) that some degree of normative coherence can be strived at through the adoption of global constitutionalism and
rule of law; and (d) that the present discussion on global sustainable development goals is a first step towards creating
a normatively consistent global architecture for sustainable development.

Disclaimer/Complaints regulations

If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let
the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible
and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library, or send a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
You will be contacted as soon as possible.